as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a debate between the two aspirants for the highest office
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Recent Examples of aspirant
There are also seven private villas—airy, palatial, ideal for families or James Bond aspirants—along with an expansion set to be unveiled in 2026.
—
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Both men reflect a cohort of youthful African aspirants aiming to ride popular disenchantments with governments to high office.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Intoxicated by the attention—and the presence of the wannabe tragedienne Gloria (a sinuous, Kurt Weill–crooning Greta Lee)—Saxberger nevertheless must reckon with the authenticity of this newfound circle of aspirants.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
But once Abbas leaves office, the competition among the three men—and any other aspirants—could potentially turn violent.
—Grant Rumley, Foreign Affairs, 9 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for aspirant
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Both men reflect a cohort of youthful African aspirants aiming to ride popular disenchantments with governments to high office.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Intoxicated by the attention—and the presence of the wannabe tragedienne Gloria (a sinuous, Kurt Weill–crooning Greta Lee)—Saxberger nevertheless must reckon with the authenticity of this newfound circle of aspirants.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
But once Abbas leaves office, the competition among the three men—and any other aspirants—could potentially turn violent.
—Grant Rumley, Foreign Affairs, 9 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for aspirant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspirant
Noun
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Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker recommended that the council hear from each candidate before making an appointment.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
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Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This year’s edition drew more than 2,400 applicants from all over the world.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Additionally, in surveys of applicants over the last 12 years, just 6% said Moore's status as a women's college was important to their decision to attend.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspirant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspirant. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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